Sixth finalist added for Manatee schools chief

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 1:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 1:47 p.m.

BRADENTON - A sixth candidate will join the original five chosen by a citizens committee to interview for the Manatee schools superintendent post, the School Board decided Thursday.

John Carvelli, an elementary school principal in Palm Beach County, joins Diana Greene, Constance Jones, Kathryn LeRoy, Rick Mills and Pamela Stewart on Manatee's list of finalists for its top schools post.

“I was very impressed with the materials we received on him,” said School Board Member Dave Miner, who moved to add Carvelli to the list of finalists. “This man seems to have done it all. At least on paper.”

Miner said he was impressed that Carvelli's career included stints as not only an administrator, but also a teacher and a school board member. The board voted 3-2 to add Carvelli to the list even though Wayne Blanton, head of the search and of the Florida School Boards Association, reported that some felt Carvelli had exhibited more of a political agenda in his career than an educational one.

The six finalists are scheduled to be interviewed by board members, the citizens committee leading the search, Manatee district labor/teacher unions and internal district staff on Feb. 11 and 12.

Blanton and the citizens advisory committee provided School Board members with a summary of what they saw as each finalists' strengths and weaknesses:

• Diana Greene: Blanton said Greene, deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Marion County, had “great rapport with students and parents” but occasionally had a “strained relationship with district staff.” The citizens committee reported that Greene was “tough but fair” and “transparent” in her leadership, but that the Marion County teachers union had expressed “concerns.”

• Constance Jones: The chief academic officer for Lee County schools earned Blanton's praise for being a top finalist for school district administrative posts in Palm Beach and Pinellas counties. He called her “extremely professional and articulate.” The citizens committee described Jones as a “consensus builder” and “good negotiator” but noted she had been reassigned multiple times in her career.

• Kathryn LeRoy: Blanton noted that the director of high school programs for Duval County schools had a record of “putting the right resources” in place to turn around low-performing schools. LeRoy generated “no negative feedback,” according to the citizens committee, which praised her enthusiasm, inclusivity and respect for diversity.

• Rick Mills: The chief executive officer for Minneapolis public schools is “disciplined” and a “straight shooter” who acts quickly to eliminate “people who aren't succeeding,” Blanton said. “Nothing is dropped on his watch.” Those comments were reiterated by the citizens committee, which said Mills had a record of “rooting out” below-standard workers, has “high expectations,” and is “data-driven.”

• Pamela Stewart: Blanton praised Stewart's record prior to joining the Florida Department of Education, where she has served as interim commissioner since September. He noted she had led an 8 percent budget cut at the St. John's school district without laying off any teachers. The committee described Stewart as a “strong leader” with “excellent district experience” but noted that she has no relationships with labor unions and said the Department of Education's philosophy and agenda has raised questions.

<p><em>BRADENTON</em> - A sixth candidate will join the original five chosen by a citizens committee to interview for the Manatee schools superintendent post, the School Board decided Thursday.</p><p>John Carvelli, an elementary school principal in Palm Beach County, joins Diana Greene, Constance Jones, Kathryn LeRoy, Rick Mills and Pamela Stewart on Manatee's list of finalists for its top schools post.</p><p>“I was very impressed with the materials we received on him,” said School Board Member Dave Miner, who moved to add Carvelli to the list of finalists. “This man seems to have done it all. At least on paper.”</p><p>Miner said he was impressed that Carvelli's career included stints as not only an administrator, but also a teacher and a school board member. The board voted 3-2 to add Carvelli to the list even though Wayne Blanton, head of the search and of the Florida School Boards Association, reported that some felt Carvelli had exhibited more of a political agenda in his career than an educational one.</p><p>The six finalists are scheduled to be interviewed by board members, the citizens committee leading the search, Manatee district labor/teacher unions and internal district staff on Feb. 11 and 12.</p><p>Blanton and the citizens advisory committee provided School Board members with a summary of what they saw as each finalists' strengths and weaknesses:</p><p>• Diana Greene: Blanton said Greene, deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Marion County, had “great rapport with students and parents” but occasionally had a “strained relationship with district staff.” The citizens committee reported that Greene was “tough but fair” and “transparent” in her leadership, but that the Marion County teachers union had expressed “concerns.”</p><p>• Constance Jones: The chief academic officer for Lee County schools earned Blanton's praise for being a top finalist for school district administrative posts in Palm Beach and Pinellas counties. He called her “extremely professional and articulate.” The citizens committee described Jones as a “consensus builder” and “good negotiator” but noted she had been reassigned multiple times in her career.</p><p>• Kathryn LeRoy: Blanton noted that the director of high school programs for Duval County schools had a record of “putting the right resources” in place to turn around low-performing schools. LeRoy generated “no negative feedback,” according to the citizens committee, which praised her enthusiasm, inclusivity and respect for diversity.</p><p>• Rick Mills: The chief executive officer for Minneapolis public schools is “disciplined” and a “straight shooter” who acts quickly to eliminate “people who aren't succeeding,” Blanton said. “Nothing is dropped on his watch.” Those comments were reiterated by the citizens committee, which said Mills had a record of “rooting out” below-standard workers, has “high expectations,” and is “data-driven.”</p><p>• Pamela Stewart: Blanton praised Stewart's record prior to joining the Florida Department of Education, where she has served as interim commissioner since September. He noted she had led an 8 percent budget cut at the St. John's school district without laying off any teachers. The committee described Stewart as a “strong leader” with “excellent district experience” but noted that she has no relationships with labor unions and said the Department of Education's philosophy and agenda has raised questions.</p>